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Southern Vance is still learning how to put four quarters together, still learning how to finish.

The Raiders (1-1 3-A Carolina Conference) led 36-33 entering the fourth quarter Tuesday, but Orange outscored the home team 18-7 in the fourth quarter for a 51-43 win.

“We let one go through our fingers,” said Southern coach Torrey Nowell. “We’ll be back in here at 6 a.m. (Wednesday) grinding it out.”

Nowell will find out just how much those 6 a.m. workouts have paid off Thursday and Friday with back-to-back away games at Chapel Hill and Cardinal Gibbons. The Chapel Hill game was originally scheduled for last Friday.

“It’s going to be tough, but that’s what all those 6 a.m. practices are about,” said Nowell. “It’s about the grind. If these guys want to play basketball and be committed to it, they have to understand that’s how it’s going to be.”

Orange claimed the lead for good on a layup from J.D. Brooks with 5:26 to play before Gerrell Satterwhite connected on a 3-pointer to put the Panthers up 44-40.

Southern got within four, but misfired on a 3-pointer with 1:32 left before Matt Gattis put an exclamation point on the win with a baseline dunk.

The Raiders led 24-22 at halftime.

“We have to learn how to finish. That’s all it is,” said Nowell.

Senior Jamal Williams led Southern with 15 points.

“He’s slowly becoming a leader and helping us out,” said Nowell. “He’s one of our best shooters so we rely on him a lot. And when the 3 ball is not working, he can drive in and do other things.”

Cameron Evans added nine points for the Raiders and Ty-Traveon Roberts had eight, including a breakaway, one-hand flush in the first half.

Shawn Henderson was starting his second game at point guard in place of the injured Jamarcus Perry.

“He’s going to make some mistakes,” said Nowell. “He got in a little foul trouble and it got in his head a little bit. He’s still developing and learning.”